Meet the Judges
Kurt Bertels
With a background in nature conservation and decades of safari guiding experience, Mr. Bertels has a profound understanding of wildlife. His passion for photography and exploring the natural world in search of rarely seen species and natural spectacles has made him a specialist in creating innovative wildlife experiences. Kurt and his wife, Stephanie Tsentas Bertels own and operate FiveZero Safaris. An award-winning wildlife photographer including South African Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Windland Smith Rice he has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum. Kurt has a knack for translating complex photography concepts into simple terms. His instinct for wildlife behavior makes him a pro. www.fivezerosafaris.com #kurtjaybertels #fivezerosafaris.
Julio Hirsch-Hardy
Mr. Hardy is highly dedicated to the world of photographic art. He is a fine art and reportage photographer, with experience with set assignments (including shooting in Cuaron’s film Gravity, Warner Brothers). Julio is currently the owner and director of FotoNostrum Gallery in Barcelona, and publisher of FotoNostrum Magazine. As a curator, Hardy organizes and curates the International Biennial of Fine Art and Documentary Photography (Madrid 2010, Buenos Aires 2012, Malaga 2014, Berlin 2016, Barcelona 2018). J.H. Hardy is also the managing director of The Worldwide Photography Gala Awards, dedicated to organizing juried photography awards, such as the Julia Margaret Cameron award for women, currently in it’s 15th edition and the Pollux award. www.fotonostrum.com, www.fotonostrummag.com, www.fotonostrumgallery.com.
John Isaac
Mr. Isaac, a former United Nations photographer, is an Indian-born, award-winning photographer and author who has lived in NYC for most of his career. In addition to being known for his work as a photojournalist for the United Nations, he is also known for his independent freelance work photographing celebrities, including Audrey Hepburn and Michael Jackson. More recently, he has been working mainly on wildlife and travel photography. His UN work is brilliant and evokes tremendous emotion while viewing the astounding images. Go to his website for an incredible journey through his UN, cultural, portrait and landscape work. www.johnisaac.com, @johnisaac.1943
Michelle Liles
Ms. Liles has traveled to all seven continents including navigating the Drake Passage to Antarctica on a 54-foot sailboat, hiking the Himalayas at 13,000-foot elevation in search of snow leopard, scaling the cliffs of Singalila National Park in Mongolia searching for the elusive red panda, and trekking up rivers in her waders to photograph grizzlies. In 2018, Michelle merged her love of both publishing and wildlife photography in The Wild Lens Magazine. She is honored to be able to publish the magnificent photos of so many talented and esteemed photographers. www.thewildlensmagazine.com, www.michellelilesphotography.com #longlensforyoutoview2
Ranjan Ramchandani
Mr. Ramchandani is a Singapore-based published photographer/author focusing on digital art, portraiture, street, landscape and wildlife photography. Ranjan calls himself a lifelong student of photography, who does not like being categorized in any one genre. He is a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography and, more recently, he has honed his skills through photography expeditions around the globe. Ranjan has been covered and published in various media in both India and overseas which include Sanctuary Asia Publications, The Wild Lens and Outdoor Photographer. Recently the WWF has also used his images in their campaigns. His work has been exhibited through a large number of shows. www.ranjanphotography.net, www.ranjan.photography ranjan@ranjan.photography, Instagram: _ranjan_ Twitter: @RanjanFoto
Roy Toft
Mr. Toft is an award-winning professional wildlife photographer and biologist whose images not only convey a sense of animal spirit but also grapple with changes to our natural world. He is co-author of the book, Osa, Where the Rainforests Meets the Sea, with ecologist Trond Larson. Dedicated to documenting the wild for future generations, Roy’s photographs advance conservation efforts globally. He does this in part through his work with the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP), where he is a founding fellow. Toft Photo specializes in tours around the globe including Africa, Brazil, Patagonia, Alaska and Costa Rica to name a few. www.toftphoto.com #toftphotosafaris
